Kenya’s exports to the East African Community (EAC) increased by 9% in 2025, growing from KSh321 billion to KSh351 billion.
According to data from the State Department for East African Affairs, 77% of Kenya’s overall exports to Africa were destined for EAC Partner States, with the regional body countries absorbing 31% of Kenya’s global exports.
The numbers also show that business between Kenya and its neighbours is booming. Over the same period (2005), the total value of a Kenya’s exports exceeded the value of its imports, therefore, creating a positive balance of trade. Kenya’s surplus rose from KSh217 billion to KSh248 billion in 2025.
While emphasising that the EAC is good for the country, EAC Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Caroline Karugu said that Kenya remained the leading intra-EAC exporter, accounting for 35% of regional exports.
Economic drivers and major achievements
“Manufactured goods remained Kenya’s leading exports, which continues to driver regional industrialisation and value addition,” PS Karugu told journalists on Monday, July 13 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. “Regional imports largely supported domestic agro-processing industries and worked to strengthen national food security.”
While highlighting some of the major achievements she has overseen at the State Department for EAC Affairs, PS Karugu said that Kenya successfully negotiated the removal of Tanzania’s Industrial Development Levy (IDL) on goods originating from EAC Partner States through the Finance Act, 2026.
As a result, 49 Kenyan export products now enter Tanzania without the additional 5-10% levy. Key beneficiary sectors include: Iron and steel products, Road tractors, Cement, Furniture and Ceramic tiles.
The 25th EAC Summit directed all Partner States to eliminate outstanding Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) by 30 June 2026 to promote Intra-EAC trade.
A first for EAC Affairs State Department
For the first time, PS Karugu says that the State Department established structured engagement with County Governments to eliminate county-level barriers affecting regional trade.
Consequently, five counties were engaged including Mombasa, Kajiado, Kwale, Taita Taveta and Migori.
“Mombasa County abolished parking fees on trucks using gazetted transit routes. Kajiado County committed to abolish the KSh2,000 transit fee charged on regional transit trucks during the financial year 2026/2027. Kwale County affirmed that it does not levy cess on cargo originating from or transiting within the EAC,” PS Karugu revealed.
In the coming months, there will be a Presidential Roundtable with the Governors of EAC border counties to provide policy direction on trade facilitation along the Northern Corridor.
